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Herein, a scheme of Sr2+/Ca2+ ion substitution was employed to simultaneously regulate the defect and intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) state of Sr2−xCaxNb2O7:Pr3+ phosphors, resulting in a dual-modulation strategy for enhancing phosphor thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Praseodymium (Pr3+) ion and the transition metal vanadium (V5+) ion with d0 electronic configuration can form an intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band, which can function both as a compensatory channel for its red emission and as a quenching channel, thus affecting the luminescence thermal stability of the phosphors. Research studies reveal that the emission of Pr3+ in the YVO4 matrix can be quenched by the IVCT mechanism, thereby limiting the application of phosphors. As such, the present contribution is based on the solid solution replacement strategy to inhibit the constitutent of the IVCT quenching channel and thus improve thermal stability. Therefore, phosphonium (P5+) with a valence state matching V5+ and a similar ion radius was selected for the V/P substitution. It lacks a d0 electron configuration, preventing the formation of an IVCT band with Pr3+ and thereby inhibiting the construction of the quenching channels to enhance thermal stability. While the empirical formula of IVCT indicates a decrease in the IVCT energy level from 3.32438 to 3.06251 eV upon the introduction of P5+, the PLE spectra demonstrate a sharp reduction in IVCT intensity, i.e., weakening of the quenching channel. The thermal stability of the phosphors at different excitation locations was enhanced with the rise of P5+ concentration. When excited at the 3P2 level, the Y0.995PO4:0.5%Pr3+ phosphor demonstrated highly stable red emission from 303 to 523 K, with a luminescence integrated intensity ranging from 95.5% to 105.3% compared to that at 303 K. This research provides a novel approach for inhibiting the IVCT quenching channel and broadens the commercial value of YVO4:Pr3+ phosphor for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-noble metal for surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-induced nano-enzymatic photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensors is a promising method for broad applications. Non-noble metal bismuth (Bi) is gradually being valued for their properties such as non-toxicity, abundant reserves, and good catalysis. Meanwhile, metallic Bi nanoparticles (NPs) have superior SPR properties similar to that of noble metal. Therefore, a non-noble metal Bi/BiVO4 photoanode based on SPR was designed for the PEC detection of H2O2 in this work. The synergistic effect of BiVO4 with suitable band gap (2.5 eV) and Bi NPs with superior SPR effectively reduces the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, which significantly improves the PEC activity of Bi/BiVO4 electrode at low voltage. The in situ Bi/BiVO4/FTO photoelectrode not only exhibits a more comprehensive linear range of 0.005–2.6 mM with a lower detection limit of 2.0 μM but also possesses excellent selectivity for the determination of H2O2 because the coexisting substances are difficult to be oxidized at 0 V bias voltage. The investigation of Bi/BiVO4-based sensor has contributed to the development of non-noble metal for SPR-induced PEC biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most praseodymium-doped red-emitting phosphors need high-temperature synthesis conditions with a reducing atmosphere. The niobate matrix selected in this work provides a sufficient electron-rich-site environment for praseodymium through charge migration, and praseodymium can be self-reduced in air atmosphere, which is safe and environmentally friendly. By building the [NbO6] group → Pr3+ energy transfer and finely modifying the doping concentration of Pr3+ ions, we constructed a dual-luminescence-system of the [NbO6] group and Pr3+. Thereby, optical temperature measurement based on fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technology of Pr3+ ions and [NbO6] groups was carried out using non-thermal coupling pairs, through the Boltzmann fitting and integral calculation, the maximum Sr and Sa values were 2.25% K−1 and 0.0049 K−1 at 403 K and 443 K, respectively, the Sr value is four times that obtained from the thermal coupling of Pr3+ ions, which exceeded most values previously reported for the fluorescence powder. Accordingly, we also studied the thermal sensitivity of Er3+ ions and Eu3+ ions mono-doped CaNb2O6 substrates. Results reveal that CaNb2O6:Pr3+/Er3+/Eu3+ phosphors have splendid temperature sensitivity and have far-reaching application prospects in the field of temperature measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In2S3/BiOI composites were synthesized at room temperature which significantly improved the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) under visible light irradiation. Structure and morphology characterization techniques have been performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The separation ability of photogenerated carriers is enhanced due to the formation of heterojunctions of the composites. The best performance is obtained when the content of In2S3 is 7 wt%. Compared with In2S3 and BiOI alone, 7-In2S3/BiOI has the highest specific surface area and can provide more active sites. Based on the photo-electrochemical characterization and free radical tests, a photocatalytic mechanism of In2S3/BiOI composites in the presence of superoxide radicals (˙O2−) and holes (h+) is reasonably proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this communication, we report for the first time the demonstration of a lithium ion intercalation strategy to significantly enhance the photoelectrochemical water splitting performance on 3-dimensional vertical hierarchical top-porous-bottom-tubular TiO2 nanotubes on a fabricable titanium mesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this communication, a new photoelectrochemical aptasensor with Au nanoparticle functionalized self-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (Au/SD-TiO2 NTs) as the core sensing unit and aptamers as the recognition unit was set up to accomplish the sensitive and selective detection of kanamycin with the lowest detection limit of 0.1 nM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]